Tile setters{40 {11 gauge

ABSTRACT

A support device for use in supporting a number of tile elements in juxtaposition relative to each other and for aligning the tile elements relative to a predetermined horizontal level line in the initiation of a tile setting operation. The support device includes a first tile supporting bar having adjustable means for changing the effective length thereof. The first tile supporting bar includes additional tile supporting bars extending at substantially right angles from opposite ends thereof with the dimensions of the elongated tile supporting bar and the angular supporting bars detailed to extend around the upper surface of and adjacent three lateral edges of a bathtub. A number of adjustable elements are operatively connected to the tile supporting bars whereby the supporting bars can be angularly oriented relative to a predetermined horizontal level line.

United States Patent 1 Strickland, Sr. July 10, 1973 TILE SETTERS' GAUGE Primary Examiner-William D. Martin, Jr. [76] Inventor: Frank N. Strickland, Sr., Route 2, Atmmey Newtn Hopkms & Ormsby Box 152, Highwayv l38-E, Stockbridge, Ga. 30281 [5 ABSTRACT V A support device for use in supporting a number of tile [22] Flled' 1971 elements in juxtaposition relative to each other and for [21] Appl. No.2 139,043 aligning the tile elements relative to a predetermined horizontal level line in the initiation of a tile setting operation. The support device includes a first tile support- 33/180 iga ing bar having adjustable means for changing the effec- [58] Fie'ld R 174 G tive length thereof. The first tile supporting bar in- 33/214 cludes additional tile supporting bars extending at substantially right angles from opposite ends thereof with the dimensions of the elongated tile supporting bar and [56] References Cited the angular supporting bars detailed to extend around UNITED STATES PATENTS the upper surface of and adjacent three lateral edges of 1,941,404 12/1933 Lansing 33/85 UX a bathtub, A number of adjustable elements are opera- 3142580 3/1966 33/ 174 G tively connected to the tile supporting bars whereby the 6/1933 ljl'l'f 33/ 1808R supporting bars can be angularly oriented relative to a 252l'525 2:51;; predetermined horizontal level line.

4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures [-Parinrtnm m INVENTOR. law/v0, 5e

- Y fkm 5m TILE SETTERS' GAUGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to means operable for supporting and aligning tile elements. More particularly, this invention is directed to an apparatus which will permit a tile setter to position the first row of tile in a bathroom relative to a predetermined horizontal level line to insure that vertical placement of a number of tile elements above the first row will be correctly aligned relative to a vertical plumb line.

In most building structures, where a tile setting operation is performed, the floor or base surface on which the first row of tiles is to be supported is often unlevel requiring some means to align the tile relative to a horizontal level line prior to initiating a tile setting operation.

Further, a bathtub adapted to be placed in position relative to a wall structure of a bathroom often presents an unlevel upper surface for supporting tile. The unlevel upper surface of a bathtub will cause vertical placement of the tile to become progressively more unaligned relative to a vertical plumb line, as the distance above the bathtub increases. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to cut tile with predetermined angular sides prior to initiating a tile setting operation in order to ensure a correct tile alignment. The cutting of tile to include angular sides is time consuming and aften even resorts in damage to many of the tile elements utilized in a tile setting operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above disadvantages have been overcome by the present invention which basically includes a number of elongated tile supporting bars with the tile supporting bars detailed in dimensions and angularly fixed relative to each other to extend around at least a portion of an upper surface of a bathtub. An important feature of the present invention is the provision of a number of adjustable elements connected to the tile supporting bars for angularly orienting the supporting bars relative to a predetermined horizontal level line prior to the initiation ofa tile setting operation.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of adjustable means for increasing or decreasing the effective length of certain of the tile supporting bars whereby the supporting bar means can be utilized with various length bathtubs.

Additional features of the prevent invention include the provisions of a number of separate parts which can be readily assembled and disassembled for storage and shipment.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide an effective support means which will position a number of tile elements in alignment with a horizontal level line in the initiation ofa tile setting operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tile supporting bar which can be angularly oriented relative to a horizontal level line.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tile setting gauge with means for varying the effective length thereof.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a tile support mechanism having a number of angularly disposed tile supporting surfaces.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a tile setting gauge having a number of independently adjustable means whereby the tile setting gauge can be angularly oriented relative to a predetermined horizontal level line.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a tile setting gauge which is readily assembled and disassembled.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a tile setters gauge which is simple in construction and operation, economical to manufacture and reliable in performance.

These and other objects and advantages of the details of construction will become apparent upon reading the following description of an illustrative embodiment embodying the principles of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to refer to like parts throughout the several figures and wherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a tile setting gauge embodying the principles of the present invention, showing the gauge positioned above a bathtub and having a number of tile elements supported thereon; and

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, as seen from the right of FIG. 1, with the tile setting gauge supported in position above the upper surface of a bathtub.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, the illustrative embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a tile setting operation performed in a bathtub above the upper surface of a conventional bathtub, the bathtub represented generally by the reference numeral 10 and wherein the upright wall surfaces of the bathroom are represented by the numeral 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the tile setting gauge embodying the principles of the present invention includes a first elongated tile supporting bar means 20, a second elongated tile supporting bar means 40 and a third elongated tile supporting bar means 42. The two tile supporting bar means 40, 42, are adapted to be connected to opposite ends of the first tile supporting bar 20. Tile supporting bars 20, 40 and 42 are secured to each other by means of conventional threaded connecting elements 21. Connecting elements 21 are inserted through complementary opening 22 formed on laterally extending tab portions 23 of bar 20 and through complementary opening 41 provided on bars 40, 42. The connecting elements are provided with threaded locking nut means 24.

In an assembled position, the second and third tile supporting bar 40, 42, are oriented at substantially right angles relative to elongated bar 20 and extend therefrom in substantially parallel relationship relative to each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, the second and third tile supporting bar means 40, 42, are secured in an angular set position relative to elongated bar 20 by means of a conventional turn buckle adjusting means 24. Each of the turn buckle adjusting means 24 include a pair of extended angularly formed portions 25 which are adapted to be inserted within complementary openings 26 formed on the upper surface of bars 20, 40 and 42.

The first elongated tile supporting bar is constructed of a pair of bar elements 28, 29. Bar element 29 is provided with a laterally extending gusset plate means 30. Gusset plate means 30 is fixed in longitudinal alignment with bar element 29 below a bottom surface thereof by means of conventional means, such as welding (not shown). An extended end of gusset plate 30 is provided with a number of elongated slots (not shown) which are adapted to be aligned with a number of elongated slots 31, 32 provided on bar supporting element 28. Bar supporting element 28 is secured to the upper surface of gusset plate 30 by means of a number of conventional wing connecting bolt means 33. The wing connecting bolt means 33 are operatively associated with the gusset plate slots (not shown), and supporting bar slots 31, 32 to provide a longitudinal adjustment between bar elements 28, 29 to adjust the effective length of elongated tile supporting bar 20 will allow the tile setting gauge to be utilized with a number of bathtubs having varying length. The bar elements 20, 40 and 60, are constructed of conventional angle iron metal stock material.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tile setting gauge is provided with a number of adjustable elements 50 which are secured to the tile supporting bar in horizontally spaced relationship to provide an effective means for angularly orienting the tile supporting bars relative to a horizontal level line. Each of the adjustable elements 50 includes an elongated socket member having an internal threaded cavity (not shown) with socket being fixed to the upper surface of the tile supporting bars by conventional means such as welding the threaded sockets are axially aligned relative to an opening extending through the bars. Adjustable movement of the bars 20, 40 and 42 are provided by means of elongated threaded shank members 51 which are threadably received within socket of each of the elements 50. The threaded shank means 51 includes a base member 52 detailed for contacting and providing an effective base support for the tile setting gauge.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the elongated tile supporting bar 20 is provided with a pair laterally spaced adjustable elements 50, and tile supporting bars 40, 42 are provided with one adjustable element 50 located adjacent an extended end thereof. The four adjustable elements 50 will provide an effective means whereby each of the tile supporting bars can be angularly oriented relative to a predetermined horizontal level line prior to the initiation of a tile setting operation. The independent adjustment of each of the elements 50 will permit a detailed predetermined movement to align the tile supporting bars relative to the predetermined hori' zontal level line.

OPERATION In a tile setting operation, the tile setting gauge embodying the principlesof the present invention is assembled by placing the two bar elements 28, 29, in longitudinal alignment relative to each other to align the slots 31, 32 of bar 28 relative to the slots (not shown) of gusset plate 30 and then inserting the adjustable wing connecting bolts therethrough and securely clamping them in a set position. After the first tile supporting bar 20 has been secured in an assembled position, the second and third tile supporting bars 40, 42, are fixed to opposite ends of first tile supporting bar 20 by inserting the conventional connecting elements 21 through the aligned complementary openings 22, 41, and threadably connecting the locking nut thereto. Angular movement of bars 40, 42, relative to elongated bar 20 is accomplished by inserting the adjustable turn buckle means 24 within openings 26 of the supporting bars and adjusting the turn buckle to angularly orient the tile supporting bars 40, 42 against the vertical wall surfaces to which a tile setting operation is to be performed. After the tile setting gauge has been properly assembled, the gauge is positioned above the upper surface of bathtub 10 with the base 52 of adjustable elements 50 contacting the upper surface. A leveling operation of the tile setting gauge is performed by placing a conventional carpenters level on the upper surface of the first elongated tile supporting bar 20 and adjusting the adjustable elements 50 to angularly orient bar 20 relative to a predetermined horizontal level line. After the first elongated tile supporting bar 20 has been effectively leveled as indicated above, the two angularly disposed tile supporting bars 40, 42, are adjusted to a predetermined horizontal level line by placing a level on each of the upper surfaces thereof and rotating the adjustable shank means 51 a degree of angular movement to correctly align the tile supporting bars 40, 42, relative to the predetermined horizontal level line.

The vertical spacing of the tile supporting bars 20, 40, 42, above the upper surface of a bathtub can be effectively adjusted by adjusting elements 50 to insure that a predetermined dimension tile element can be inserted between the upper surface of the bathtub and the first row of tile elements after the tile setting gauge has been removed therefrom.

After a predetermined number of tile elements has been securely bonded to the wall surfaces 11 by conventional bonding means (not shown) and allowed to set, the tile supporting alignment gauge means can be removed from the bathtub and a predetermined shaped tile element can be inserted in the space between the upper surface of the bathtub and the lower row of tile elements.

It now becomes apparent that the above described illustrative embodiment of a tile setting gauge embodying the principles of the present invention is capable of obtaining the above stated objects and advantages. It is obvious that those skilled in the art may make modifications in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the present invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A support device for use in aligning tile relative to a predetermined horizontal level line adjacent the upper surface of a bathtub in the initiation of the tile setting operation in a bathroom comprising, in combination:

a. a first tile supporting bar defining a substantially horizontal surface detailed for supporting a number of tile elements in juxtaposition relative to each other, said first elongated tile supporting bar including adjusting means for adjusting the effective length thereof whereby said first elongated bar can be positioned above one longitudinal edge of a bathtub to provide effective tile supporting surface along the length of said bathtub;

b. at least two adjusting elements operatively connected to said first tile supporting bar said adjustable elements being independently adjustable relative to each other whereby said first tile supporting bar can be angularly oriented relative to a predetermined horizontal level line;

. a second elongated tile supporting bar having one end connected to one end portion of said first elongated bar and extending at substantially right angles therefrom, said second elongated tile supporting bar including an adjustable element connected thereto adjacent an extended edge thereof and bathtub; and

. said second and third supporting bars being conbeing independently adjustable relative to said first 2. A support device as in claim 1 wherein each of the elongated bar adjustable elements whereby said 10 said elements for adjusting the supporting bars relative second tile supporting bar can be angularly orito a horizontal line comprises a downwardly opening ented relative to said predetermined horizontal threaded socket member welded to an upper surface of level line; a supporting bar and a base member having a foot pord. a third elongated tile supporting bar, said third tion and a threaded shank portion adapted to be elongated tile supporting bar being connected adjascrewed into said socket portion. cent an opposite end of said first elongated bar 3. A support device as in claim 2 wherein said means from said second bar with said third elongated bar for angularly adjusting said support bars with respect to extending at substantially right angles relative to each other comprise turnbuckles pivotally connected said first elongated bar, said third elongated tile at opposite ends to said supporting bars at points supporting bar including an adjustable means indespaced from the connections between said bars. pendently adjustable relative to said other adjust- 4. A support device as in claim 3 wherein said first able elements whereby said third elongated tile supporting bar comprises two sections, one of said secsupporting bar can be angualrly oriented relative to tions having a gusset plate fixed thereto to form a longisaid predetermined horizontal level line, said first, tudinal extension thereof, said gusset plate and the second and third horizontal tile supporting bars deother of said sections having longitudinal slots adapted tailed in dimensions to extend around three lateral to register with each other when said other section is edges of said bathtub to provide an effective means placed above said gusset plate, and means passing for supportinganumber of tile elements in juxtapothrough said slots and adapted to secure said gusset sition relative to each other in the initiation of a tile plate and said other section in adjusted positions. setting operation relative to the upper surface of a 

1. A support device for use in aligning tile relative to a predetermined horizontal level line adjacent the upper surface of a bathtub in the initiation of the tile setting operation in a bathroom comprising, in combination: a. a first tile supporting bar defining a substantially horizontal surface detailed for supporting a number of tile elements in juxtaposition relative to each other, said first elongated tile supporting bar including adjusting means for adjusting the effective length thereof whereby said first elongated bar can be positioned above one longitudinal edge of a bathtub to provide effective tile supporting surface along the length of said bathtub; b. at least two adjusting elements operatively connected to said first tile supporting bar said adjustable elements being independently adjustable relative to each other whereby said first tile supporting bar can be angularly oriented relative to a predetermined horizontal level line; c. a second elongated tile supporting bar having one end connected to one end portion of said first elongated bar and extending at substantially right angles therefrom, said second elongated tile supporting bar including an adjustable element connected thereto adjacent an extended edge thereof and being independently adjustable relative to said first elongated bar adjustable elements whereby said second tile supporting bar can be angularly oriented relative to said predetermined horizontal level line; d. a third elongated tile supporting bar, said third elongated tile supporting bar being connected adjacent an opposite end of said first elongated bar from said second bar with said third elongated bar extending at substantially right angles relative to said first elongated bar, said third elongated tile supporting bar including an adjustable means independently adjustable relative to said other adjustable elements whereby said third elongated tile supporting bar can be angualrly oriented relative to said predetermined horizontal level line, said first, second and third horizontal tile supporting bars detailed in dimensions to extend around three lateral edges of said bathtub to provide an effective means for supporting a number of tile elements in juxtaposition relative to each other in the initiation of a tile setting operation relative to the upper surface of a bathtub; and e. said second and third supporting bars being connected to said first supporting bar in such a manner as to permit them to be adjusted angularly with respect thereto in a horizontal plane, and means for so adjusting said second and third supporting bars and holding them in selected angular positions of adjustment.
 2. A support device as in claim 1 wherein each of the said elements for adjusting the supporting bars relative to a horizontal line comprises a downwardly opening threaded socket member welded to an upper surface of a supporting bar and a base member having a foot portion and a threaded shank portion adapted to be screwed into said socket portion.
 3. A support device as in claim 2 wherein said means for angularly adjusting said support bars with respect to each other comprise turnbuckles pivotally connected at opposite ends to said supporting bars at points spaced from the connections between said bars.
 4. A support device as in claim 3 wherein said first supporting bar comprises two sections, one of said sections having a gusset plate fixed thereto to form a longitudinal extension thereof, said gusset plate and the other of said sections having longitudinal slots adapted to register with each other when said other section is placed above said gusset plate, and means passing through said slots and adapted to secure said gusset plate and said other section in adjusted positions. 